Professionally, itās not good for your brand to be caught playing solitaire on your laptop at work. So, as a personal branding expert, I was initially surprised by the introduction of LinkedIn Games. Just like with animated GIFs in messaging, I thought it was unprofessional. Yet, much like I now sign off messages with GIFs of John Cena or a twirling cowboy, Iāve embraced these games.Ā
In this blog post, Iāll explain why LinkedIn introduced games, how they may be using the data, what games mean for your brand, share tips on playing them like an ace, and suggest alternative games in case you want more challenges.
LinkedIn knows that many people donāt visit the platform daily like they do with other social networks, and even fewer stick around once theyāve checked their messages or notifications. By introducing games, LinkedIn hopes to create a stickier experience that encourages users to return daily. Not only do these games provide a mental break, but they also increase the time users spend on the siteāmaking LinkedIn a daily habit rather than an occasional check-in. Games are LinkedInās way of encouraging consistent engagement and fostering a sense of community among its users.
Your brand is a reflection of you, and enjoying a thoughtful challenge can be seen as a positive aspect of your brand. As a crossword puzzle enthusiast and daily Wordle player, I find a well-crafted game both relaxing and stimulating. Once you complete a game on LinkedIn, you can see others in your network who did so too. LinkedIn also encourages you to share your experience, providing resources to help you solve the game and discuss it with others. These games offer unique networking opportunities with like-minded individuals who share similar interests.
However, if youāre going to spend time playing games on LinkedIn, make sure your LinkedIn profile is as polished as your gameplayābecause you never know who might check it out. When someone sees that youāve been playing a game, they might be curious enough to review your profile. This is why itās crucial to ensure your LinkedIn profile is optimized to reflect your successes and professionalism. If youāre taking a break during work hours, make sure your profile balances out that activity by showcasing your achievementsāafter all, you never know when the next opportunity might come from someone who notices your activity.
LinkedIn currently offers three games: Queens, CrossClimb, and Pinpoint. Each game offers a unique challenge, and mastering them can be both fun and rewarding. Here are some tips and strategies to help you excel:
Game Objective: Identify a common category by revealing as few clues as possible.
Tip: Avoid jumping to conclusions based on your first thought. Usually, itās the second or third idea that leads to the right answer. For example, with the word āCrunch,ā thinking beyond the obvious (like food or sound) might lead you to the correct category (exercise).
Pro Strategy: Think laterally and avoid rushing. The fewer clues you reveal, the better your scoreāand the more you train your brain to see connections others might miss.
Game Objective: Complete a word ladder by solving clues and organizing rows so each word differs by only one letter.
Tip: Donāt wait until the end to reorder the rows. Sorting as you solve makes it easier to tackle the harder clues.
Pro Strategy: Not sure the answer? Skip it and answer the easier ones first to build momentum. Just like in a professional project, quick wins can pave the way to solving bigger challenges. Also, if you want to finish quickly, play it on a laptop or desktop, not phone.
Game Objective: Place one queen in each row, column, and region without any queens touching each other..
Tip: Begin in the center and eliminate impossible positions using the 'X' tool. Focus on securing the easy crowns first.
Pro Strategy: Plan two steps ahead. Visualization and foresight are key to solving the puzzle efficiently, just as they are in navigating your career.
A quick, funny story: I enjoy Queens and CrossClimb; they are challenging, but I ace them easily. I often finish CrossClimb in under a minute and sometimes under 30 seconds. Pinpoint, on the other hand, is a game I struggle withāI rarely get the answer on the first try, and it often takes up to three clues to figure out the category. The other day, while sitting with my mom, who has dementia, I told her about the game and gave her the first clue: āTongue.ā Without missing a beat, she says, āParts of a shoe.ā I entered it, and she won on her first guess! Sheās doing better than I am at that game!
Once youāve played your daily games on LinkedIn, you might be hungry for more challenges. The thing is, these LinkedIn games arenāt designed to be a constant distraction. LinkedIn releases one game a day, which means you get a quick mental boost without the temptation to play endlessly. Each game offers just one play per dayāno sitting around wasting hours on game after game. Theyāre short, fast, and you can only play threeāone of each. So, while youāre rewarded with a brief challenge, youāre quickly back to focusing on what matters.
But if youāre still craving more after your daily dose, here are some similar games that can keep your brain sharp:
Queens Alternatives:
CrossClimb Lovers:
Additional Challenges:
The big question is, how does LinkedIn plan to use the data from these games? Will it provide insights into a candidateās mental acuity when being evaluated for potential roles? Will recruiters or employers gain access to data on how much time you spend playing games? Or will LinkedIn target you with ads based on your scores? Personally, Iām hoping to see Mensa ads, not ones for Crayola crayons. Time will tell how LinkedIn leverages this information, but itās something to keep in mind as you enjoy these daily challenges.
If youāre drawn to games and looking for more challenges, perhaps this is a sign that you need more challenge in your workplace. There are opportunities to be had on LinkedIn, but it starts with you getting clear on your value, brand, and telling your story with the right keywords so you can be found. It’s hard to tell your story effectively, and you want to make sure youāre telling the right story in the right way to the right people. Thatās why itās crucial to ensure your profile is optimized to reflect your successes and professionalism. My agency is all about partnering with you to gain that clarity so jobs (and other opportunities) find you!
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